DISTANCE & COURSE

Swim

NEW SWIM COURSE. The 2021 edition of the Bintan Triathlon has more favourable tides and consequently less current than in 2019. Nevertheless, the swim course has been changed to avoid the current prone areas. Swimming conditions are expected to be very good, with little current, great visibility and minimal swell. The water temperature is a balmy 29 C.

Choose your start wave for the Olympic Distance event!

To give swimmers more space, the field will start in four waves based on ability and comfort level.

Wave 1: Elite Wave (Men & Women) – invitation only

This is for those who want a high-octane competitive race at the pointy end of the field. These are the qualification criteria:

Men:
– Bintan Triathlon (2018 or 2019) Olympic Distance finish time under 2h30m, or
– MetaSprint Series Triathlon (2019 or 2020) finish time under 1h12m.

Women:
– Bintan Triathlon (2018 or 2019) Olympic Distance finish time under 3 hrs, or
– MetaSprint Series Triathlon (2019 or 2020) finish time under 1h26m.

Wild cards are available for high-performing athletes that did automatically qualify. Email us with your recent results if you would like to claim one.

Wave 2: Men’s Competitive Wave

If you are a solid athlete with some experience this wave is for you! Our recommendation is that athletes who aim for a time between 2h30m and 3 hours start in this wave.

Wave 3: Women & Teams

Age group women and teams will start together in this wave, separate from the men.

Wave 4: Men’s Friendly Wave

Happy to take your time, swim freely and enjoy the experience? This wave has your name on it!

*Swim map is subject to change

Bike

The bike course takes place on wide, smooth roads past beautiful scenery; stunning wide vistas of Lagoi Reservoir, the manicured gardens of Ria Bintan and other lush greenery. Although the course is not very hilly, it is hardly ever flat either. Total elevation is 400m for the Olympic distance and 120m for the Sprint distance. 700mL bike bottles with water will be handed out at the halfway point of the Olympic Distance Triathlon. Note that the roads are not closed for traffic. However, police will be managing traffic at all junctions.

Download the GPX file: Olympic Distance

The Olympic bike course step by step:

1. Bintan Lagoon Resort (km 1-3) – Hilly
   The first km from transition to the hotel lobby junction goes straight up 30m. Place your bike in transition in a small enough gear to start off smoothly. The road continues rolling to the resort entrance at 3.3km. Note that the road humps will be removed for the event.
   
2. Main road (km 3-12, 15-16) – Flat(ish)
   The wide and straight road past the Lagoi Reservoir is perfect for riding in aero-bars. There are no big hills, but lots of false flat. So relax when the going starts to get a bit tougher, because it is probably the road inching upwards.The Sprint Distance participants make a U-turn at the 10km mark and take the exact same route back. They skip the Ria Bintan loop that is part of the Olympic bike course (see further down this section)
3. Township road (km 12 to 15) – Flat(ish)
   No different from the main road, so hold onto your aero position and keep pushing. Just be aware of a number of big road humps that need to be negotiated. Especially for the first one immediately after the turn off you need to make sure you have your bike back up straight when taking it.
   
4. Road to Nirwana and back (km 17-21) – Flat(ish)
   One big hill features in this out and back section with a U-turn in front of the Nirwana Gardens entrance gate. The drink station is located at the top of this hill at the 21km mark. Slow down sufficiently to grab a 700ml bike bottle with water.
5. Main road (km 22-30) – Flat(ish)
   Back on the main road, remember that there are no big hills, but lots of false flat.
6. Ria Bintan (km 30-37) – Hilly
   The sting is in the tail for this bike course with the beautiful winding and rolling roads past the Ria Bintan golf courses. None of the hills exceed 30m of elevation, but will sap the legs regardless. Look out for numerous road humps. The ones located on down hills will be marshalled.
7. Bintan Lagoon Resort (km 37-40)
   Only one big hill and a few rollers left before the steep descent to transition. Have your hands on the brakes, so you won’t finish the bike with a bang!

*Bike course map is based on 2019 event and is subject to change

•   Olympic: 40km
• Sprint: 20km

Run

NEW Run Course!

The Race Director has redesigned our beautiful run course, without the off-road sandy section from 2019. What stays are the stunning golf course passages, and luscious terrain of Bintan. The run course is undulating in parts, with slightly more elevation (45m) than the old run course, but less steep. Drink stations with water, isotonic drinks and cold sponges are available at least every two kilometers.

The Run Course step by step:

1. Villa beach front (0 – 0.4km) – Flat
   The run starts with a flat grass & dirt track with on one side Bintan Lagoon Resort’s pool villas and on the other a palm tree studded lawn. Stay focused!
2. Bintan Lagoon Villas (0.4 – 0.9km) – Up
   After a right tum a short dirt track takes runners past the beach front villas onto the villa roads that lead to the driving range. This is where the first incline starts of the run
3. Golf tracks (0.9 – 2.1km) – Up
   Enter the golf course on concrete golf buggy tracks, past the driving range and the very green holes 1 and 16 of the Jack Nicklaus Champion golf course. The track keeps rolling upwards gently.
4. Club House loop (2.1-3.3km) – Down & Up
   After crossing the bike course (cyclists have right of way!) the golf tracks take a loop down to the Club House and back up to continue the run down to the beach.
5. Golf tracks (3.3 – 4.5km) – Down
   There is a final ramp up before the long winding descent back to the beach starts via holes 14 and 11. The hardest part is now behind, so enjoy the stunning sea views.
6. Hotel lawn (4.5 – 5.0km) – Flat
   Exit the golf course and continue on narrower concrete paths along the beach towards the festival area. Start thinking about your victory dance! …unless you are an Olympic Distance athlete who has the privilege of running this picturesque run course twice.

Get ready for more music and spectator engagement on with additional fan zones to keep the buzz flowing all around the course!

*Map is subject to change

Sunday is the domain of the Youth & Kids athletes. The Youth and Kids triathlon takes place within the controlled environment of Bintan Lagoon Resort.

The swim course consists of a straight out and back route in a calm sea; no swell or current. Although athletes can see the sea bottom throughout the swim, it is too deep to stand at the far end of the course.

The bike course takes place on undulating roads. Braking is an essential skill and being able to change gears an advantage. Youth athletes complete 2 laps of the bike course, Kids athletes 1 lap.

The run course is flat and has one drink station halfway. As Youth athletes complete 2 laps of the run course, they will pass by the drink station twice. Kids athletes complete 1 lap.

*Map is subject to change

Sunset Swim Classic

This sunset swim starting from Bintan Lagoon Resort Beach is the perfect warm up to the main events of the weekend. You will enjoy excellent swimming conditions, full race atmosphere with music and a stunning view of the sun setting on the horizon.  It is still a race, though, with timing, finisher medals and trophies.

Hang around and enjoy a drink with your fellow athletes and friends at the beach bar post-race, the perfect end to a day.

*Map is subject to change

Island Ride 60KM

A perfect wrap-up of your Bintan Triathlon weekend escape, this relaxing Sunday ride offers you the opportunity to discover the true Indonesia. This guided ride will take you along stunning coastal roads, through dense lush green forests and into peaceful local villages.

Suitable for beginners and intermediate cyclists who can comfortably ride 60km at a leisurely pace.

What’s provided:
– MetaSport cycling coach
– Support vehicle
– Drinks and refreshments en-route
– Fresh coconut at the halfway point

Time: 08:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Start and Finish: TBC

Fun Duo Challenge

The Fun Duo Challenge is a great way to introduce beginners and the younger kids to the sport of triathlon where distances are shorter and the fun element higher. Teams of 2 have to complete a run, a swim, and then finish the race piggyback (or other creative) style. Prizes will be given out to the teams displaying “outstanding” style, strategy, teamwork and finish line moment!

Note: course starts at the finish (arch) and finishes at the start (pen). Just for fun.